Join a cohort of dedicated conservationists, citizen scientists and volunteers as we work to protect water, wildlife and wild places. From litter sweeps to workshops on scientific and social topics, there are ways for everyone to get involved in your community and beyond.
Upcoming Events
Isle of Palms Spring Welcome Session and Litter Sweep
Monday, March 13 and Monday, March 27, 5:30–7:00 p.m. | Isle of Palms
Join the South Carolina Aquarium and Isle of Palms Cleanup Crew every other Monday this spring for educational welcome sessions followed by beach sweeps! We’ll meet at the public beach walkover at 1100 block on Ocean Blvd. Welcome sessions start at 5:30 p.m. and will teach volunteers about the litter problem, its ecological impact and solutions. Volunteers will then participate in a 30-minute beach sweep with litter data collection. No advance registration is required.
Kiawah Island Sweep
Saturday, March 18, 9–11 a.m. | 876 Kiawah Island Parkway, Kiawah Island
Join the South Carolina Aquarium and Kiawah Conservancy at Mingo Point for our monthly litter sweep! This is a great opportunity to enjoy this beautiful community and help keep litter and plastic pollution from entering our waterways.
Sign up for Kiawah Island Sweep reminders HERE.
Downtown Charleston Community Sweep Series: Waterfront Community Litter Sweep
Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m.–noon | 100 Aquarium Wharf
Looking for a fun, family-friendly event and a way to give back to the community? Join the Charleston Parks Conservancy, International African American Museum, National Park Service and South Carolina Aquarium for a litter sweep of our waterfront community! As a kickoff to our Downtown Charleston Community Sweep Series, we’ll meet at Liberty Square and spread out to clean along the roads and waterfront properties from the Irish Memorial Park to Gadsdenboro Park.
All supplies and instructions will be provided to conduct a litter sweep with data collection. Afterwards, enjoy complimentary pizza for all participants and a chance to connect with staff from partner organizations and community members!
Learn more and register HERE.
Charleston Green Drinks: Sustainable Business Practices
Wednesday, March 29, 6–8 p.m. | Palmetto Brewing Company, 289 Huger St, CharlestonJoin local conservation organizations at Palmetto Brewing Company as we connect, collaborate and learn more about the importance of sustainable business practices. Following brief introductions, spotlight organizations will be available for informal conversations.Learn more HERE.
Folly Beach Earth Month Island-Wide Sweep
Sunday, April 2, 1–3 p.m. | Various locations throughout Folly Island
Join the Folly Association of Business Litter Committee and South Carolina Aquarium for Toby’s Island-wide Spring Clean litter sweep at Folly! Join this great team effort to help keep litter and plastic pollution off the streets and out of the waterways just ahead of sea turtle nesting season.
Learn more HERE.
Conservation in Action
- “Discover Your Watershed” Event in Spartanburg
- Litter Sweep with Friends of Gadsden Creek
- Hampton Park Terrace Community Litter Sweep
- Saltmarsh Restoration Monitoring in the Maryville community
- Litter Sweep with MUSC Students
- Sweeps Across South Carolina: Pickens County Litter Sweep
- Saltmarsh Planting in the Maryville Community
- Pack’s Landing Litter Sweep in Sumter
Your Data Matters!
Want to be a true citizen scientist? Litter data is critical in identifying the most problematic debris and can be a powerful tool in helping to develop solutions for reducing trash. We encourage litter sweep participants to log the items they pick up from land and water. Help be part of the solution by using the Litter Journal (previously known as the Litter-Free Digital Journal), a project in the South Carolina Aquarium Citizen Science app, when you sweep in your community.
The South Carolina Aquarium Citizen Science app is available in the App Store and on Google Play.